Over the last few days observant Santa Barbara Police Department patrol officers
have made several outstanding felony arrests.

Felony Vandalism Arrest: On the night of May 23, 3013 Officer Justin Cruz and
Officer Oscar Corral were working the Nightlife Enforcement Team detail when
they started to notice fresh graffiti spray paint vandalisms appearing
throughout the evening between the 500 and 700 blocks of State Street.
Realizing that a suspect or suspects were actively tagging the downtown area,
the officers started searching for the culprits. At 2:11 a.m. they contacted
David Cruz Real and Miguel Arriaga, both age 19 and from Santa Barbara, on the
600 block of State Street. The two looked too young to be nightclub patrons and
had black paint on their hands and clothing. Investigation determined that Real
and Arriaga were responsible for eight locations of graffiti tagging and
approximately $2,200.00 worth of property damage. Both were arrested and booked
into Santa Barbara County Jail for felony vandalism and misdemeanor possession
of vandalism tools with a bail amount of $10,000.00.

Attempted Auto Burglary Arrest: On May 24, 2013 at 10:53 p.m., Officer Bryn
Bruce was patrolling the Eastside when she saw a 16-year old male attempting to
break into a vehicle parked on the 1100 block of Carpinteria Street. The
juvenile, a Santa Barbara resident, was trying to force open one of the
vehicle's windows with the end of his skateboard. The car was locked, but had
several items of value visible in the passenger compartment. When Officer Bruce
contacted the burglar he ran away, however was caught by Officer Bruce after a
short foot pursuit. The boy was booked into Santa Barbara County Juvenile Hall
for attempted burglary, a felony, and resisting or delaying an officer, a
misdemeanor.

Felon in Possession of a Firearm Arrest: On May 25, 2013 at 1:37 a.m., Officer
Shawn Hill was on patrol on the 1600 block of Grand Avenue when he saw Adam Kyle
Avila, age 29, of Santa Barbara, walking his bicycle on the sidewalk. Officer
Hill contacted Avila and engaged him in conversation and soon discovered that he
was on felony probation. Officer Hill conducted a probation search of Avila and
found what appeared to be stolen mail in his backpack. Also found in Avila's
backpack was a 9mm semi-automatic handgun with a loaded magazine. Avila was
arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for being a felon in
possession of a firearm, a felony, with a bail amount of $20,000.00.

Marijuana Dealer Arrested: On May, 26, 2013 at 1:25 p.m., Sergeant Warren Holtke
was working as a patrol supervisor when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle
driven by Joseph Cruz Castaneda, age 36, of Santa Barbara, on the 1100 block of
Chino Street. Neither Castaneda nor his passenger were wearing seatbelts as
required by law. While contacting Castaneda and his passenger Sergeant Holtke
noticed a strong odor of marijuana emanating from Castaneda's car. When
questioned about it Castaneda acknowledged being in possession of marijuana
without a doctor's recommendation and relinquished a small amount to Sergeant
Holtke. A search of Castaneda's vehicle however produced approximately four
ounces of marijuana, evidence of sales, and $3,185.00 in cash. Castaneda was
arrested and booked into Santa Barbara County Jail for possession of marijuana
for sale and transportation of marijuana, both felonies, with a bail amount of
$20,000.00. Castaneda and his passenger both received traffic citations for
failing to wear seatbelts.